Cultivating element and carrier therefor



Dec. 2, 1947. c. s. NOBLE 2,432,035

' CULTIVATING ELEMENT AND CARRIER THEREFOR Y Filed April 1e, 1945 ssneets-sneet 1 FIGI IN VEN T02. C. S. Nob/e yx? @MW v me Auys Dec. 2, 1947. ci. NOBLE 2,432,035

CULTIVATING ELEMENT AND CARRIER THEREFOR Filed April'le, Y1945 :s sheets-sheet 2 Dec. 2, 1947. Y c. s. NOBLE 2,432,035

CULTIVATING ELEMENT AND CARRIER THEREFOR Filed April 16, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 a /N VEN T02 C. 5. Nob/e Patented Dec. 2, 1947 CULTIVATING ELEMENT AND CARRIER THEREFOR Charles S. Noble, Nobleford, Alberta, Canada, assignor to Noble Farms Limited, Nobleford, Alberta, Canada, a corporation Application April 16, 1945,'V Serial No. 588,598

14 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in cultivating blades and carriers therefor of the kind which are secured to the lower ends of standards such as are shown in my United States Patent Nos. 2,323,412 and 2,345,702 of July 6, 1943, and April 4, 1944, respectively. In these two patents I also have illustrated the superstructure whereby my various configurations of blade are drawn through the ground to form what I have called a furrow-slice, or in other words to cut the topsoil layer thus severing the roots of weeds from the plants thereof. In this connection however it must be distinctly understood that as alternative to travelling through the soil at right angles to the direction of travel of the superstructure, my various blade elements may be secured to carriers which are of V-shaped configuration when viewed from above, in which instance I generally elect to secure one V-shaped carrier to each of the standards or hangers illustrated in the above identified patents.

A further object of my invention is to provide a blade of the character herewithin described by the use of which is highly eicient crushing action at the weed roots may be effected, but which at the same time allows a fur.. row-slice or topsoil-layer to be lifted and thrown clear of the trailing side of the blade and the carrier therebeneath, thus reducing draft caused by unnecessary friction.

A further object of my invention is to provide a blade of the character herewithin described which is reversible, and which is attached to a carrier at aligned points upon the length thereof to one side of the center line of the blade, this blade being characterised by having one side which is wider than the other, the over-surface of the wider side being curved to a degree of convexity which is considerably shallower than the conveXity of the narrower side, whereby, when the wider side is leading, a furrowslice or topsoil layer may be cut and thrown clear of the narrow side to reduce draft, the said narrower side when leading, and after the wider side has become worn and its width reduced, being designed to effect a very efficient crushing action of weed roots in the topsoil-layer being lifted.

A further object of my invention is to provide a carrier of the character herewithin described which has great strength, and yet does not project any considerable distance beyond the trailing edge of my blade, and at the same time may be manufactured inexpensively.

A further object of my invention is to provide a carrier of the character herewithin described upon which a variety of different configurations of cultivating blade and weed-'crushing elements may be secured.

With the foregoing objects in View, and such other objects and advantages as will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates as this specification proceeds, my invention consists essentially in the arrangement and construction of parts all as hereinafter more particularly described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional representation of a preferred embodiment of reversible blade illustrated in situ upon a carrier.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional representation of the blade of Figure 1 but shown reversed.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional representation of a second embodiment of cultivating blade shown in combination with a second embodiment of carrier.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional representation of a third embodiment of blade and carrier.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional representation of a fourth embodiment of blade and carrier therefor.

Figure 6 is a perspective representation for purposes of orientation only illustrating a cultivating blade element and supporting carrier, together with a pair of standards or hangers, this blade being intended to operate through the ground in the direction of the associated arrow, and thus being normal or at right angles to the direction of travel.

Figure 7 illustrates in plan a pair of the supporting standards or hangers of Figure 6, but shows, connected to the lower ends thereof, a pair of V-shaped carriers and blade assemblies also for purposes of orientation only, the V- shaped assemblies being intended to travel in the direction of the associated arrow.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the diiferent iigures.

Describing rst the embodiment of cultivating elements illustrated in the accompanying Figures 1 and 2, it will be seen that the said elements I consist of an elongated blade having parallel cutting edges 2 and 3 atrthe opposite elongated extremities. For purposes of description and definition, I consider the elements I as divided into two parts, viz. the side 4, and the side 5, the side 4 being illustrated as the leading or advancing side in Figure 1, while in Figure 2 the side 4 is shown worn down, and reversed to overlie the carrier 6, in which position it is functioning as the rear or trailing side.

The sides 4 and 5 are bevelled adjacent the cutting edges 2 and 3 thereof upon the under surfaces as at 1, and by reference to Figure 1 it will be perceived that the radius of curvature of the side'f4 iis considerablyugreaterf than theA erably flat, and at spaced intervalsupon the cen-V treline of which I provide countersunk drill holes ing that these may be reversed. This element is secured to the carrier I9 by the nut and bolt assemblies 20 which extend through spaced and aligned countersunk drill holes along the centreline of the element.

The element I6 is primarily for effecting a cuttingor severing-weed kill with less crushing action than Ais the case with the side of element I for example, and both sides I1 and I8 are similar. The degree of curvature of the upper-surfaces 2| is very slight in this embodiment. It will be .noted however that the said upper surfaces join each other tangentially to form the shallow elongated central ridge 22 below which is presented an internaland `inferior obtuse angle.

1 Itwillthus-be seen that in element I6 also, I am able to reduce draft by the elimination of any II for the nut and bolt assemblies I2. In terms of linear distance, andagain according to my experience to date, I have found that 31/2 inches is the. desirable width of the side 4 plus half the width of the intermediate section I0, and -21/2 inches for the side 5 plus one-halfthe width of the intermediate section III. 'In other words 3% inches from the intermediate section centreline to the edges 2 and 3 respectively.

When the cultivating element is .in the position of Figure 1, it is employed primarily for the destruction of weeds by a cutting'or severing action of the roots from the plants while a furrowslice or topsoil-layer I3 is being opened up, and it is to be understood that the element I in the position of Figure 1-'provides for `aparticularly easy scouring action, or in other words, permits of an easy, polishing ow of the topsoil layer up and over the element with a minimum of friction. It Willbe seen that slightparallel and spaced elongated ridges vI4 and I5'exist at the junctions of the upper surfaces 8 and 9 with the upper-surface of the intermediate section Ill, the angle of inclination to the Yhorizontal being progressively less as the wave of top; soil 'is carried upwardly against the upper-surface 8, as -a result o-f which the slice or layer is out of contact with the upper-surfaces of the intermediate sections Illand 5 as clearly illustrated, only subsiding back onto the ground beneathafter the device has passed through. Hence it will be obvious that frictional resistance .and-,wear is .considerably reduced. Y

When the side 4 is worn' down to the extent illustrated in Figure 2, the cultivating elementI may be reversed on the carrier as is illustrated in Figure 2, in which position the side5 constitutes the leading side. When used in this position, it is to be understood that the actionv of the element through the soil is predominantly a crushing action applied to the soil about the weed I5 such thatv it will vbe loosened and lbruised to such an extent that itwill be unlikely to survive. In this position of the element I it will again be recognized vthat 'the top-soil layer is" lifted clear over the element and the trailing part of the carrier without piling up on the trailing side'4, which, being worn'has beenicon'siderably reduced in'width. VIt will b e recognized that an advantage ofthe element I which I -have been'describing hereinabove resides in the fact that it maybe used until Worndown to avery considerable extent thus reducing wastage--to a minimum percentage.

' In Figuref3 I'have illustratedla cultivating element I6 whichI consider as divided into leading and .trailing sides Iland. I8 with tha-understandunnecessary tarr'ying of the top-soil layer upon the trailing side of element, which top-soil layer leaves the upper surface 2I of the leading side at or below the ridgel 22 and does not commence to subside backuntil the Whole device has passed through.

-As a modification and under certain circumstances, instead of making the upper surface 2I convex, I may-elect to make the same slightly concave as I have illustrated in phantom lines 23 since it appears that the top-soil layer of certain types of soil rises and scours more easily with a concave configuration than with a convex configuration. In such case, the action would be even .more one` ofsevering than of crushing the Weed growths.

'In' Figure 4 I have `illustrated an embodiment of cultivating element 24 the upper surfaces 25 of the leading and trailing side whereof are formedto a degree of convexity considerable in excess of that of the embodiment of Figure 3, both-sides being lpreferably of the same degree of curvature however and therefore reversible. I-Iere again, an elongated ridge 26 is formed by the meeting or junction of the leading and trailingupper-surfaces,.andas in the case of the side 5 of. the embodiment of my invention illusrated in Figures 1 and 2, the sides of element 24 are intended togeffect a- Weed-kill more by a combination shearing and crushing action than by a shearing orsevering` action substantially alone. In this embodimentalso, lin view of the considerable inclination from the horizontal of the upper-surfaceof the trailing'side, it will be seen that I- am able to lift a top-soil layer with a minimum of draft, by the-elimination, or reduction to minimumv limits Aof-any tendency of the top-soil beinglifted to Vpile-up on the rearmost or trailing areas Yofthe element. Thus the embodiment of Figure 4 according to luy-experience penetrates through the soil in `a particularlyV satisfactory manner, being capable of work'at extremely shallow or inconsiderable depthswithout Skipping over the weeds in hard spots .which is .a factor'soflextreme importance in-efficientaweed destruction, asis also the matterofmainfaining a constant yand unvarying depth in shallowfwork.

In*` Figure 5 I have illustrated an embodiment of reversible cultivating elementV 21 in'which the two sides28 are similar and-slightly convex upon the upper-surfaces thereof; these sides being however separated byy an intermediate section 29 having-an upper-surface of slight convexity. As shown in -full lines it-willbe recognized from the foregoing thatl the degree of 'inclination with respect tothe horizontal :of the leading side 28, is-such that a weed-kill by predominantly severing action is effected, However, as shown in phantom lines 39, the slope of the side 28 relative to the intermediate section, is considerably greater, and the element 27, if manufactured in this modified way, would, in moving through the ground, effect a combination crushing and shearing action as I have already described.

The embodiment of Figure 5 is particularly designed for attachment to the carrier 3| via the intermediate section 29, the under-surface of which rests upon the forwardly and downwardly inclining leading portion 32 of the carrier. Recesses are formed in the leading portion to receive the nut and bolt assemblies 34, and the curvature in cross-section of the trailing portion or side 35 of this carrier provides for considerable stiffness and rigidity without projecting to any considerable extent rearwardly of the trailing edge of the superimposed blade or cultivating element.

The cultivating element l illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 is also intended to be supported via its intermediate section l0 upon a forwardly and downwardly inclining leading side 36 forming part of the carrier 6, which carrier will be seen to comprise anelongated strip of fiat-stock coimterfolded sharply back upon itself so as to provide a trailing side 3'! which is of considerable cross-section in comparison with the cross-section of the leading and forwardly inclining side 36, the rear or trailing surface of the trailing side 31 inclining rearwardly and downwardly as at 38 which materially assists in reducing draft by eliminating the possibility of soil-piling at this point.

In Figure 3 I have illustrated a carrier I9 of rolled cross-section wherein the leading side 39 inclines forwardly and downwardly, and is of relatively thin cross-section compared to the trailing side 40 which is bulbous and of massive crosssect'on to provide stiffness and rigidity, the trailing upper-surface 4l of the side @il inclining rearwardly and downwardly to provide a surface free of ledges or the like upon which soil may accumulate.

In Figure 4 I have illustrated a carrier 42, which, like the carrier 6 in Figures 1 and 2 is formed of a strip of flat-stock reversely-folded under and back upon itself to provide a trailing side 3 of considerable stiffness and rigidity, In this embodiment as in the carrier embodiment of Figure 3 the upper-surface 45 of the leading side 44 is co-terminous with the rearwardly and downwardly inclining over-surface 46 of the trailing side 23, such trailing surface being predominantly overhung by the bevelled edge 4l so as to render the accumulation of soil from the furrow-slice virtually impossible.

Since many modifications can be made in the invention herein described and since the accompanying drawings have been prepared only to illustrate the relative arrangement and interaction of parts and not with regard to accuracy of dimensions for manufacturing purposes which in view of this disclosure I consider to entail merely mechanical skill .together with the skill of the mechanical draftsman, and since many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention may be made within the scope of the accompanying claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the same it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense and I desire only such limitations placed thereon as justice dictates.

What I claim as my invention is: l

1. In a cultivator, and in combination, an elon gated element for the underground processing of a topsoil layer, and an elongated carrier to which said element is secured, said carrier, when viewed in transverse cross-section being seen to have a boundary comprised of a leading and forwardly and downwardly inclining upper-surface, and a reversely curved trailing surface coterminous with said leading surface.

2. In a cultivator, an elongated blade for the underground slicing of a topsoil layer, said blade when in situ and when viewed in transverse crosssection being seen to embody a leading side and a, trailing side, the upper surface of at least said leading side being convex and inclining forwardly and downwardly, the upper surface of said trailing side meeting the upper surface of said leading side and two said surfaces lying in such strata that a line tangent to said leading side originating at the junction of said surfaces and overlying the upper surface of said trailing side, will form an acuteangle to said last mentioned surface.

3. In a cultivator, and in combination, an elongated element for the underground processing of a, topsoil layer, and an elongated carrier to whichY said blade is secured, said carrier, when viewed in transverse cross-section being seen to have a boundary comprised of a leading andforwardly and downwardly inclining upper-surface, and a counter-curving trailing surface behind said upper-surface.

4. In a cultivator, an elongated blade for the underground slicing of a topsoil layer, said blade when in situ and when Viewed in transverse crosssection being seen to embody a leading side and a trailing side, the upper surface of said leading side inclining forwardly and downwardly, the upper surface of said leading and trailing sides forming an obtuse, internal, inferior angle, thereby presenting an elongated ridge all as and for the purpose specified,

5. In a cultivator, an elongated blade for the underground slicing of a topsoil layer, said blade when in situ and when viewed in transverse crosssection being seen to embody a leading side and a trailing side, the upper surfaces of both said sides being convex, the upper surface of said leading side inclining forwardly and downwardly, said surfaces meeting to form an elongated ridge at the junction thereof.

6. In a cultivator, an elongated blade for the underground slicing of a topsoil layer, said blade When in situ and when viewed in transverse crosssection being seen to embody a leading side and a trailing side, the upper surface of said leading side inclining forwardly and downwardly, an intermediate section between said leading and said trailing sides, the upper surface of said intermediate section meeting the upper-surface of said leading side, the upper-surface of said trailing side meeting the upper-surface of said intermediate section so that obtuse, internal, inferior angles are formed by the upper-surfaces of said leading side and said intermediate section and by the upper-surfaces of said intermediate section and trailing side, the junctions of said angles constituting a pair of elongated and parallel ridges, all as and for the purpose specified.

7. The blade as dened in claim 6 in which the upper-surface of at least one of said sides is convex.

8. The blade as defined in claim 6 in which 83 the upper-surfaces -of 1bot-h of `saidsides aresconthe upper-surfacef;of-v said trailing sidewbeingif veic-but A.to different :degrees :of-curvaturen greater '-thanxthat .-of'zthe upper-surface of ,lsald,` 9. .The bladef` as; denedl :inf claim: iimzwhich: leadinglde the zuppr-surfaces'of both. of` said-, sides-arercone 14;:lnza'5. cultivator, and in combination, ,am

vein-f` .5 elongatedzelement for the underground processing: 10H In acultivator, anV elongatedybladefonthe.; offacitopsoil =layer,and anfelongated carrier tof: underground .slicingofv-a topsoil lay e1,said blade which said ,b1adenis;secured,; saidfcarrienwhenff when in situandwhen Viewed inrtransverse'cross-- viewed'mtransverse cross-,section being seen' to section beingiseen to embodya 'leading-side and-a.. comprise a;strip,of material reversely curvedback'.

trailing side, said leading-side:beingfwiderefromE lo-gupongfitself,upon-athetrailing Aside to provide-av theleading edge to thetrailing edge'thereoffthan downwardlyreversely'curved trailing surface, and said trailingA side, the *upper'surfacerof;said.lead 3,-.,le`ading': side; which inclines forwardly andi ing side:incliningiolwardly and:downwardlmthev downwardly;-said'rzelement being secured against. upper-surface: of said trai-lingsidemeet-img;:the:- theguppepsurface of Said leading side. upperf'surface of -said leading: side theA twodsaid.` 15T CHARLES S.- NQBLE: surfaces `lying in suclfrstrata` as to'formranfobt-usei internal.;` inferior angle, presenting `an: elongated.; REFERENCES- v`CITED rdgeathe junction' thereof" 'The' followingreferences are of record in the 11.1 The :blade as denediin-tclaimzlo vin :which 1 me` `of this l patent: atleast-'the upper-surfacevof'saidaztrailngjsidejs;2m UNITED STATES PATENTS COnMGXr,

12. The blade'as defined infclaimTlOvin which; Number Name Date atleastftheflipper-surface.oflsaidfzleadingidefis'f 15445-2221 Crosby June 30, 19251 convex. l 1,657,456 Carlsen Jan. 31, 1928* 13;(Tneb1ade-as denedin claim s10xin: which 25-L` zzsglm Noble July 6, 19431" the upper surfaceslof` both said leadingaand-vtraler- 2373303 Noble Apr. 17,1' 1945 l ing tsdes z aretconvex,V theldegree4 of `en -I* Vatureof 

